Do you use your lens hood indoor for portrait work?

tsaraleksi wrote in post #2210722
I think it's mostly because the 50/1.8 is recessed on the front-- it doesn't need a hood because it more or less has one built in. This is the same reason that many will tell you not to put a UV filter on it-- because it would be difficult to get anything in to break the lens. That and it is a little sillly to put nearly $60 worth of protection (hood+filter) onto a lens that cost $70.

A UV filter I can see - a quality one would cost about as much as the lens. The hood however, pricey as it may be - is a darn good idea regardless. It's not about protecting the front element as much as it is eliminating as much stray light as possible. If the Canon one is too expensive for you, bo buy a rubber one - they're great on the 35mm and 50mm.

With respect to a UV filter....aren't there benefits of using a UV filter other than to protect a lens? It seems everyone generically uses them as protection but what about the actual purpose of the filter?

If the lens has a hood, it goes on and stays on when I shoot, indoors or out. The only time I use a UV filter is if there is some extreme condition like blowing sand that necessitates it's use.

TMR Design wrote in post #2210819
With respect to a UV filter....aren't there benefits of using a UV filter other than to protect a lens? It seems everyone generically uses them as protection but what about the actual purpose of the filter?

Well, there's the UV light that they're designed to filter out. Typically you only see this when at the beach or at high altitudes perhaps. Another argument says that most cameras block UV anyway.

Dunno, I just use it for protection and to complete the sealing of my L zooms as Canon recommends you do. I shoot from studio to harsh environments so I just leave them on 24/7. I've never had an issue with my Heliopans, UV or CPL that warranted removing them.

My hoods are alway on when shooting.

I would not bother with a hood indoors with a flash.

The only time when I hate having a hood on is when you have to take those plastic lens caps on & off. You actually need needle nose plier like fingers to get them on & off unless you have the center pinch lens caps like what Tamrons got.

I got center pinch caps for my lenses. Otherwise there is no way to get the cap on the Sigma 17-70mm with the hood on.

I swapped out all my Canon caps for Tamron-style knock-offs. Word to the wise - spend the money and get the real Tamron caps, they're built much better.

Also good for slim filters that have reduced threads out front. Canon caps have deep threads and don't hold on as well as the Tammies...

Double Negative wrote in post #2212467
I swapped out all my Canon caps for Tamron-style knock-offs. Word to the wise - spend the money and get the real Tamron caps, they're built much better.

Also good for slim filters that have reduced threads out front. Canon caps have deep threads and don't hold on as well as the Tammies...

Do they work on the real slim filters or do you need push on caps for those?

TMR Design wrote in post #2212518
Do they work on the real slim filters or do you need push on caps for those?

The knock-offs and original Tamron caps work better for two reasons; a) the threads aren't as deep as the Canon caps so they work better on slim filters (in my experience) and b) they have two ways to remove the cap - the typical outside tabs like Canon but also the inner "pinch style" tabs. Great for when you have a hood affixed.

Short answer - yes they do (as Canon's do also) but better, IMO.

TMR Design wrote in post #2212414
I got center pinch caps for my lenses. Otherwise there is no way to get the cap on the Sigma 17-70mm with the hood on.

??? I had no problem with mine. You got stubbies?

I just pushed in one side, then the other.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2212621
??? I had no problem with mine. You got stubbies?

I just pushed in one side, then the other.

No I am talking about the lens cap supplied with the Sigma lens. I have small hands and fingers and there was no way to possibly get it in or out. Perhaps if I wanted to work at it I could snap it in but no way to get it out. Putting the lens cap on and off should not be any work at all. I have many more things to concentrate on.

But you do have to be careful when buying center pinch caps. If you buy the Dot-Line brand it has a small nubbie (not sure if that is what you are calling a stubbie..lol) intended for a lanyard or kap keeper of some sort and it prevents the cap from sitting inside the hood. You need the Tamron or the Hama.

TMR Design wrote in post #2212828
But you do have to be careful when buying center pinch caps. If you buy the Dot-Line brand it has a small nubbie (not sure if that is what you are calling a stubbie..lol) intended for a lanyard or kap keeper of some sort and it prevents the cap from sitting inside the hood. You need the Tamron or the Hama.

Yep, my cheap knock-offs had those. A sharp X-Acto knife took 'em right off.